Konica Business Technologies Expands Color Product Line; Konica Introduces the 7823 Color Imaging System.

WINDSOR, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 15, 1999--Konica Business Technologies, Inc., the innovation leader in digital imaging solutions, today introduced the Konica 7823 Color Imaging System. The introduction of the 7823 greatly strengthens Konica's presence in the color market; a key segment that is earmarked for continued growth by industry analysts.

The 7823 will increase Konica's color market share by delivering color printing and copying to workgroup, departmental and production environments, such as corporate reproduction departments, the graphic arts market and print-for-pay shops. In 1998, the company brought highly cost-effective color printing to the desktop user with the launch of the KL-3015 FORCE COLOR(tm) Laser Printer. Building upon the success of the KL-3015, Konica is well-positioned to move into the color printer/copier arena.

"The introduction of the Konica 7823 Color Imaging System strongly enhances Konica's line of cost-effective, high-quality color products," said Kevin Kern, vice president of product development and support for Konica. "More importantly, it solidifies the company's position in the digital printer/copier market by enabling Konica to provide both monochrome and color solutions from the workgroup to departmental and production environments," Kern added.

Konica has again partnered with Electronics for Imaging, Inc. (EFI) to provide connectivity options for its latest color product. The 7823's controller options range from EFI's entry-level X2e to the new high-end ZX-3300, providing customers with the maximum flexibility to select the model that best meets their performance needs and cost requirements while also benefiting from the latest EFI technologies.

The 7823 is a full color digital printer/copier that provides brilliant 400x400 dpi resolution, as well as walk-up editing and designing features. Its built-in Automatic Color Selection technology creates superior image quality, while the 7823's enhanced image stabilization system improves its color quality over long print runs. This insures that the quality of the last print is as brilliant and sharp as the first print.

7823 Standard Features Include:

--Six pages-per-minute full color and 23 pages-per-minute monochrome print/copy speed

--Auto magnification from 25% to 600%

--Full bleed 11" x 17" prints/copies on 12" x 18" paper

--400x400 dpi resolution

--Easy to operate, interactive touch screen

7823 Optional Features Include:

--10 bin sorter collating up to 10 sets of 25 prints each

--10 bin stapler/sorter for document finishing of single or multiple sets

--Auto duplexing unit for convenient two-sided printing/copying

--1,000-sheet large capacity tray

--Full color editor display for accurate graphical processing of originals

--Fiery Color Servers (ZX-3300; XZ-2100; X2; X2e); turns the 7823 into a professional printing and scanning system

Electronics For Imaging (EFI) Fiery Controllers for the Konica 7823

With a choice of one embedded and three external EFI Fiery controllers, the Konica 7823 Color Imaging System delivers unparalleled productivity, precision color and networkability through several leading EFI technologies. The Fiery ZX and X2 series of controllers represent the next generation in color controllers and provide unprecedented speed, power and control.

Fiery ZX-3300:

Built for power, the Fiery ZX-3300 is the newest high performance controller. The Fiery ZX is engineered to overcome the speed limitations inherent in general purpose workstations and PCs to provide a true document set printing system. With a powerful new architecture, the controller features a 533MHz DEC Alpha processor, Fiery DocBuilder technology, Fiery Command Workstation, Fiery WebTools, Fiery Print Calibrator, and Fiery Downloader.

Fiery ZX-2100:

The ZX-2100 is the newest mid-range controller, bringing together the latest Fiery innovations. It features a 400 MHz DEC Alpha processor, Fiery DocBuilder technology, Fiery WebTools, Fiery Print Calibrator, and Fiery Downloader.

Fiery X2:

The Fiery X2 leverages the advanced technologies developed for the high end ZX platform, bringing the output typically expected from a Fiery to entry level corporate and graphics environments. The X2 is powered by a MIPS R5000 processor and features Adobe PostScript 3(R) for enhanced performance and image quality.

Fiery X2e:

The Fiery advantages built into the X2 are also available in the embedded X2e controller, which is designed to meet the needs of desktop business graphicness Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Windsor, Conn., is an industry leading provider of digital solutionhrough direct sales offices, authorized dealers, resellers, and distribution partners located in the United ing may also be reached on the World Wide Web at www.efi.com.

EFI, the EFI logo, and Fiery are registered trademarks of Electronics For Imaging, Inc.